The López de la Vega family,
Teresa López de la Vega (ILS class of 1972) (formerly Teresa López) Carlos López (Miami Senior High School, MSH, Class of 1974) Ramón López de la Vega(ILS, class of 1975), (formerly Ramon López) Arturo López de la Vega (ILS, class of 1978), (formerly Arturo López) Rosa López (ILS, class of 1979) Juan Pablo López (ILS, class of 1982) Ana Maria López (MSH, class of 1985) Andres López (MSH, class of 1986)
We nominate our brother, Roberto López de la Vega (class of 1970) to the Immaculata-La Salle High School Alumni Association 2015 Hall of Fame , St. John Bosco Outstanding Alumni Award.
Roberto López de la Vega arrived in Miami, via the Pedro Pan project in 1961. He graduated from Immaculata LaSalle High School in 1970 where he played Junior Varsity Football, Varsity Football and Track & Field. He lettered in Football and Track. He was a member of the Chess Club and Key Club. He was a member of the National Honor Society. As part of the Key Club he participated in the excavation of the Moon Temple and other structures from the time ILS was part of Vizcaya.
After he graduated from high school he attended the University of Miami and then transferred to the University of Florida in Gainesville where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. Upon graduation he began work as a chemist, performing research on making better adhesives. Not satisfied with working as a chemist, he decided to make a difference and pursued teaching as a career. In 1974 he became a faculty member at the Urban League of Greater Academy Street Academy NW located in 54th street and NW 7th ave, a facility for black students which due to busing and other integration efforts were being transferred to Miami Beach Senior High School among other High Schools where they were having a difficult time fitting in. The Street Academy was created to provide an education for black students who were dropping out of school at an alarming rate and had a propensity to get in trouble with the law. It was a way to provide troubled adolescents a place to study; an alternative from roaming the streets. A similar facility was then built for Cuban and Latin Children at 208 SW 8th street, The Latin Street Academy.
The academy offered high school equivalency courses. Robert then helped found that facility. At this time Robert had already moved out of our home. The Street Academy was located not far from our home and he would come by to see us often and sometimes speak of his experiences with these students.
I remember one time specifically where a palm tree was being chopped down (after the Yellow disease infestation) and he asked one of the city workers to cut him a slice of the Palm Tree. He showed me why he wanted the slice while also teaching me something about botany. He took it to the Street Academy as a demonstration of the rings which demarcate the age of the tree. He also spoke often about his experiences at the facility. From my perspective at the time, he enjoyed teaching in general; teaching these adolescents in particular.
As a member of the Faculty of the Greater Miami Urban League Street Academy, SW Robert witnessedwhere one of the bigger students, was bullying a smaller weaker, student. This student already had a criminal record, as did many students in the facility. Robert separated the fight and pushed the bully back. This person then threatened Robert; told him he would come back and kill him. Sometime later, possibly the next day, Robert approached the principal and various staff members since he was worried about what this person had threatened. As they were speaking in the main office this person arrived, pointed a gun at them. Robert went towards Mr. Aparicio Morejón reacting to the gun and saying: ¿estás loco? Mr. Morejón shot Robert with a 0.22 caliber pistol. He then proceeded to shoot the principal, and the parole officer that had been assigned to Mr. Morejón Everyone survived, except Robert. He died on the operating table at Jackson Memorial Hospital on November 7, 1975 at the age of 23.
I believe Robert is true example of what the St. John Bosco Outstanding Alumni Award should be. He was a student in good standing at Immaculata- LaSalle High School class of 1970, he graduated with honors. He graduated 44 years ago in 1970. As a student he contributed to the betterment of the school (as part of the Key Club). In the short time he was able to he contributed to his community, he affected the lives of his students in a very positive manner. He could have taught in many places. He felt at the Street Academy he could make a difference. He did. He was also an outstanding oldest brother to his 8 siblings.
We proudly nominate our brother, Roberto López de la Vega for the Immaculata-La Salle High School Alumni Association 2015 Hall of Fame; the Saint John Bosco Alumni Award
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